Manufacturers continue to ramp up their year-end sales events, going full bore into so-called Black Friday sales, which will morph into holiday sales events on through Christmas and New Year’s Day. Smart shoppers may want to include Nissan on their rounds since the newly launched 2017 Titan half-ton pickup is being offered with as much as $3,000 cash back. The 2017 Maxima has $2,500 back with the automaker offering up to $4,500 on 2016 models of the 4-door sedan.
Kia is skipping right past the Black Friday labeling and calling theirs a holiday sales event, which offers 0-percent financing up to 66 months and no payments until spring 2017. On its midsize Optima sedan you can find rebates of up to $2,500 on 2016 models.
With several significant new product launches occurring near the end of the calendar year, deals on the previous-generation models are cropping up. If you plan on buying and keeping a new car, the previous- generation model can net substantial savings, although you’ll find that the newer model will undercut your resale value if you try to trade or sell your purchase within the first two or three years. Kia recently introduced an all-new Cadenza and its pricing of the new model at $32,890 — which is about $950 less than the previous model — can be offset somewhat by a $2,000 rebate on 2016 models. Or you might consider a Hyundai Azera, essentially a sibling to the Cadenza, which is eligible for rebates of up to $4,500 on 2016 versions.
Honda doesn’t have a holiday sales event per se, but it does have an all-new CR-V rolling out, which has led to an attractive lease deal on the model it replaces. The Japanese automaker is offering to lease 2016 CR-Vs on the lot now for $199 per month over 3 years with $2,299 up front. Or you can opt for an Accord at $199 per month over 3 years with $1,999 down. For the same down payment, you can have a Civic for $179 per month.
New used window stickers
The Federal Trade Commission has issued rules revising window stickers used by dealers on pre-owned vehicles. The changes, which go in effect Jan. 27, require checked boxes to indicate whether or not a vehicle is covered by third-party warranties or that service contracts are available, as well as if there is any unexpired factory warranty left. The list of major defects that may occur in a used car also has been amended to include airbags and catalytic converters and a statement that directs the buyer to get a vehicle history and check for open recalls.
The changes also include providing Spanish-language disclosures and buyer’s guides if the sale is being conducted in Spanish. The FTC is also redefining an “as is” sale as one without a warranty. If the sale is with a warranty, those terms and conditions must be disclosed in the buyer’s guide.
Chrysler minivan production resumes
A parts shortage that halted Chrysler and Dodge minivan production at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Windsor, Canada, plant for a week has been resolved with the line slated to be back up and running the week of Nov. 14. It’s not clear how the stoppage will affect deliveries of Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Grand Caravan deliveries. The plant builds a total of 1,500 of these vehicles per day. FCA is continuing production of the previous-generation Grand Caravan alongside the all-new Pacifica. Current incentives include $500 back on the 2017 Chrysler and as much as $2,750 on 2016 Grand Caravan models.
GM cuts car production
While FCA is cranking production back up at its minivan plant, General Motors is cutting car production as the market continues to favor crossovers, SUVs and trucks over traditional sedans and coupes. The company laid off 2,000 workers and cut shifts at its Lansing, Mich. and Lordstown, Ohio, assembly plants. The Lansing plant builds Chevrolet Camaro and Cadillac ATS and CTS. The eliminated third shift employed 810 hourly workers. At Lordstown, GM makes the Chevrolet Cruze. Its third shift employed 1,202 hourly workers.
Automotive News said that GM has more than 100 days’ supply of the four vehicles and that car deliveries have fallen 9.7 percent for the auto giant. GM announced that while it is cutting shifts at those car plants, it will be keeping 784 jobs in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana to work on future products.
Ram Power Wagon priced
FCA has announced pricing on its 2017 Ram Power Wagon, a vehicle the company describes as the most capable off-road truck in America. Built on the heavy-duty Ram 2500 chassis, the Power Wagon has a new look inside and out, with unique grille and tailgate designs complemented by black accents. Inside, the seats sport a tire-tread embossed seat coverings and Power Wagon logo embroidery.
Among the off-road equipment included in the 4-wheel-drive package are a 12,000-pound Warn winch, Bilstein mono-tube shocks, 5-link rear coil spring suspension, electric locking front and rear differentials, 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires and tow hooks. The Power Wagon is equipped with a 410-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8, which also makes 429 lb-ft of torque. It offers 14.3 inches of ground clearance, 26 inches of wheel travel and is capable of fording water 30 inches deep.
Pricing starts at $51,695 plus $1,320 destination. A $4,495 leather and luxury package is also offered as an option. It includes an 8.4-inch screen with Uconnect telematics, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated high back leather front bench seat, heated steering wheel, a 60/40 split folding rear seat with under-seat storage, back-up camera, power folding mirrors and integrated voice command with Bluetooth connectivity.
The rundown
Check out the This Week in Car Buying Podcast here.
Convertible versions of Audi’s handsome come are coming as the German automaker unveils the 2018 Audi A5/S5 Cabriolets, which will go on sale next year.
Lincoln is getting back into the large luxury sedan market with its all-new 2017 Continental. Check out our First Review as well as this Video Review and Road Test.
The newest models added to Jeep’s Renegade range include the 2017 Jeep Renegade Deserthawk and Altitude, set for a Los Angeles Auto debut. Check out more show coverage here.
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